|
U.S. Marines and Sailors Visit Hacksaw Ridge
by U.S. Marines Corps Lance Cpl. Isabella Ortega
November 28, 2018
On April 1, 1945, the Battle of Okinawa began as U.S. Marines and
Soldiers made their way to the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa.
Faced with attacks from Japanese kamikaze pilots, Japanese soldiers
positioned in underground tunnels and the Yamato, the heaviest and
most powerfully armed battleship ever constructed, the Americans
fought a grueling 83 day battle and ultimately suffered over 82,000
casualties.
The Battle of Okinawa was the last battle of
World War II. One of the most historic events during the Battle of
Okinawa took place at Maeda Escarpment, Okinawa, Japan, or Hacksaw
Ridge. The battle on Hacksaw Ridge took place on a 400-foot cliff
and lasted 11 days. The Japanese soldiers utilized underground
tunnels and bunkers across the ridge which forced American troops to
scale the cliff-like terrain to get to the enemy. Both sides bore
heavy losses, but on May 6, 1945, the Americans gained control of
Hacksaw Ridge.
|
Sept. 7, 2018 - Marines and
Sailors with Headquarters Company, Headquarters Regiment,
3rd Marine Logistics Group, hike up Hacksaw Ridge, Okinawa,
Japan during a World War II battle site tour. It provided
them with visual information in learning about the U.S.
Marine Corps’ history on Okinawa and remembering those who
have gone before them. (Image created by USA Patriotism!
from U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo and photo by Pfc.
Terry Wong)
|
Over 73 years later, U.S. Marines and Sailors revisited the
battleground to pay their respects and learn the history of Hacksaw
Ridge. Service members with Headquarters Company, Headquarters
Regiment, 3rd Marine Logistics Group hiked through the hallowed
battleground September 7, 2018. While ascending the ridge, the tour
guide helped them discover what transpired at each historic
location.
“When you come to Okinawa and come to these battle
sites, you get a chance to stand in their footsteps on these fields
and understand more about what happened,” Chris Majewski, a tour
guide with Marine Corps Community Services Tours+, said.
Majewski led the group atop Hacksaw Ridge and explained details of
the battle. He told the group about Cpl. Desmond Doss, a U.S. Army
Medal of Honor recipient, who, as a private first class,
single-handedly saved the lives of over 75 people on Hacksaw Ridge
during the Battle of Okinawa.
|
Chris Majewski points to a
Japanese offensive position during a tour Sept. 7, 2018 at
Hacksaw Ridge, Okinawa, Japan during a World War II battle
site tour associated with the U.S. Marine Corps’ history on
Okinawa, while remembering those who have gone before them.
Majewski is a tour guide with Marine Corps Community
Services Tours+. (Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S.
Marine Corps courtesy photo and photo by Pfc. Terry Wong)
|
Majewski said Doss was one of many soldiers whose work during the
battle led to the success of the Americans. He explained that the
battle site represents more than just the efforts of those brave
troops.
“It’s important to take the tours because this is our
history, our background, this is why we’re here,” he said. “If you
don’t learn your history, you’re doomed to repeat it.”
According to one of the tourists, Lance Cpl. James C. Craghead, a
data systems administrator with HQ Reg., 3rd MLG, his experience at
Hacksaw Ridge helped him learn more about the men who shed blood for
their country. He said the tour reminded him that the troops who
fought at Hacksaw Ridge were service members just like him.
“It takes going there and seeing it, for most people, to imagine
what we could potentially go through ourselves,” Craghead said.
Craghead said it was a reality check to get the Hacksaw Ridge
tour because it made him realize that it wasn’t too long ago that
troops were making sacrifices in the very place he stood.
Majewski said he has dedicated the past 20 years of his life to
telling people about the brave actions of the Americans who fought
on Hacksaw Ridge. He said he conducts tours of the battle site twice
a month, or whenever he is requested by a specific unit, because it
is important to him that those troops are never forgotten.
The U.S. Marines |
Marines - The Few, The Proud |
U.S. Marines Gifts |
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Navy Gifts |
U.S. Navy
|
|
